By: Robin Irizarry, Philadelphia Watershed Coordinator
Wednesday morning was a beautiful time to visit the Vernon Park rain garden. TTF’s new Philadelphia Watershed Coordinator, Robin Irizarry joined the Friends of Vernon Park for some routine maintenance, weeding this garden that so elegantly manages stormwater from the roof top of the Center in the Park. The group wanted to devote some time to tidying things up, since TTF and the Friends of Vernon Park will be offering a rain garden tour next Wednesday before the weekly Oldies in the Park event on July 30th.
Right now the garden is full of life and provides a wonderful display of some of our loveliest native wetland plants. The red flowers of Bee Balm, Monarda didyma, can be seen glowing in the sunlight, a siren’s call to passing butterflies and hummingbirds. Downy Skullcap, Scutellaria incana, blooms below with purple-blue flowers that will give way to tiny purse like seed pods. In the center of the garden, Black Chokeberry, Aronia melanocarpa, stand heavy with dark, antioxidant rich berries. The flowers of White Turtlehead, Chelone glabra are just about ready to emerge. If we’re lucky, these little white turtle faces will be peering out at us just in time for the tour.
Downy Skullcap, Scutellaria incana
Please come join us next Wednesday, July 30th at 4:30 p.m. for the rain garden tour. Afterwards be sure to stick around for Oldies in the Park. What a great way to spend an evening: enjoy the music and a fun evening in beautiful Vernon Park. Hope to see you there!
Questions about the Vernon Park rain garden? Contact Robin at 215.744.1853.
